Lagerstroemia plant named &#39;G2X13368&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct Lagerstroemia cultivar named ‘G2X13368’ is disclosed, characterized by vibrant purple flowers. Plants are highly floriferous and compact. The new variety is a Lagerstroemia, normally used for outdoor ornamental purposes.

Latin name of the genus and species:

Lagerstroemia indica.

Variety denomination: ‘G2X13368’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new Lagerstroemia cultivar is a product of a planned breedingprogram conducted by the inventor, Michael Uchneat, in Bellefonte, Pa.The objective of the breeding program was to develop a compactLagerstroemia exhibiting the characteristics of winter hardinessconsistently superior to present compact and traditional marketgenotypes; heat tolerance equal to market genotypes; a fully moundedhabit with superior branching and floral coverage; reblooming; multiplecolors in a well-matched collection; dark green foliage; powdery mildewresistance; and excellent propagation characteristics from vegetativecutting. The cross pollination resulting in this new variety was madeduring August of 2010.

The seed parent is the, patented commercial variety referred to asLagerstroemia ‘3876-1’. The pollen parent is Lagerstroemia ‘VioletFilli’ U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,267. The new variety was selectedSeptember of 2011 by the inventor in a group of seedlings resulting fromthe 2010 crossing, in a seedling trial field in Bellefonte, Pa.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar was performed by softwoodcuttings. This was first performed at Spring Meadow Nursery inBellefonte, Pa. during February of 2012 and has shown that the uniquefeatures of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type inmultiple successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘G2X13368’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘G2X13368’ These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘G2X13368’ as a new and distinct Lagerstroemiacultivar:

-   -   1. Vibrant purple flowers.    -   2. Compact plants.    -   3. Very floriferous plants.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘G2X13368’ are similar to plants of the seedparent, Lagerstroemia ‘3876-1’ in most horticultural characteristics;however, plants of the new cultivar ‘G2X13368’ differ in the following;

-   -   1. The new variety has a purple colored flower, the seed parent        has flowers in shades of pink.    -   2. The new variety has good basal branching, the seed parent has        loose branching.    -   3. The new variety has good cold tolerance, the seed parent has        not as much tolerance for cold.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘G2X13368’ are similar to plants of thepollen parent, Lagerstroemia ‘Violet Filli’ in most horticulturalcharacteristics; however, plants of the new cultivar ‘G2X13368’ differin the following;

-   -   1. The new variety has good basal branching, the pollen parent        has loose branching.    -   2. The new variety has good cold tolerance, the pollen parent        has not as much tolerance.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘G2X13368’ are comparable to the commercialvariety Lagerstroemia ‘G2X133251’, unpatented. The two Lagerstroemiavarieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however,the new variety ‘G2X13368’ differs in the following;

-   -   1. The new variety has darker, vibrant purple flowers,        comparator has lighter purple flowers.    -   2. New variety branches grow upwards and outwards, comparator's        branches arch over.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color atypical plant of ‘G2X13368’ in a 3 gallon pot. Age of the plantphotographed is approximately 2 years old from a rooted cutting.

FIG. 2 illustrates a close up view of the inflorescence. The photographswere taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appeardifferent from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurateas possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart 2015 except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘G2X13368’ plants grown in a poly house duringJuly of 2017 Grand Haven. Mich. The growing temperature ranged fromapproximately 18° C. to 27° C. during the day and from approximately 5°C. to 10° C. during the night. General light conditions are normalsunlight and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Lagerstroemia indica ‘G2X13368’.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type of propagation typically used.—Terminal vegetative            cutting.        -   Time to initiate roots.—About 14-21 days at about 24° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted cutting.—About 28-35 days at about            24° C.        -   Root description.—Thin fibrous, not fleshy, freely            branching. White in color, not accurately measured with            R.H.S. Chart.-   Plant:    -   -   Age of plant described.—2-3 years old from a rooted cutting.        -   Container size.—3 gallon container.        -   Overall plant shape.—Upright.        -   Growth habit.—Freely branching upward and outward.        -   Plant spread.—81 cm.        -   Plant height.—71 cm.        -   Growth rate.—Good.        -   Plant vigor.—Good.        -   Branching habit.—Basal, freely branching.        -   Length of primary lateral branches.—38 cm.        -   Diameter of lateral branches.—4 mm.        -   Quantity of lateral branches.—7.        -   Stem.—Color: Edges-Brown 200A blending to Red 47C in new            growth. Sides-Brown 200A blending to Greyed-green 193A in            new growth. Shape: Square. Strength: Strong. Aspect angle:            5-95°. Texture: Pubescent with young, then woody with age.        -   Internode length.—0.5 to 1.5 cm.-   Foliage:    -   -   Leaf.—Arrangement: Sub-opposite to alternate. Average            Length: 2-4 cm. Average Width: 1.25 to 2.5 cm. Shape of            blade: Elliptical. Apex: Acute. Base: Oblique. Margin:            Entire. Texture of top surface: Smooth. Texture of bottom            surface: Smooth, waxy, can feel veins. Color: Young foliage            upper side: Green 143A. Young foliage under side: Green            143C. Mature foliage upper side: Green 143A. Mature foliage            under side: Green 143C. Venation: Type: Pinnate. Venation            color upper side: Greyed-Yellow 161C. Venation color under            side: Yellow-Green 145C. Petiole: Length: 1 mm. Diameter:            1 mm. Texture, upper side: Smooth. Texture, under side:            Smooth. Color, upper side: Greyed-Yellow 161C. Color, under            side: Yellow-Green 145C.-   Flower:    -   -   Natural flowering season.—Late Summer.        -   Inflorescence form.—Panicles.        -   Flowers per inflorescence.—Average 9, with 30 to 60 unopened            buds.        -   Inflorescence size.—Width: 12 cm. Height: 10 cm.        -   Individual flowers.—Type: Rotate. Shape: Obovate. Habit:            Whorled outward. Diameter: 4 cm. Length: 4 cm. Depth: 2 cm.            Persistence: Self-cleaning. Fragrance: None.        -   Petals.—Arrangement: Whorled. Number: 6. Shape: Loosely            edged and undulate orbit shape. Margin: Loose, undulate. Tip            shape: Rounded. Base shape: Rounded. Length: Average 1.1 cm.            Width: Average 1.3 cm. Texture: Upper: Soft, smooth,            delicate. Lower: Soft, smooth, delicate. Color: When            opening: Upper surface: Purple-violet N80A. Under surface:            Purple-violet N80A. Fully opened: Upper surface:            Purple-violet N80A. Under surface: Purple-violet N80A.            Fading: Upper surface: Purple-violet N80A. Under surface:            Purple-violet N80A.        -   Bud.—Shape: Obovate. Length: 7 mm. Diameter: 9 mm. Color:            Greyed-red 182A.        -   Sepals.—Appearance: Triangular. Arrangement: Unguiculate.            Shape: Narrowly triangular. Tip shape: Acute. Base shape:            Obtuse. Margin: Entire. Quantity per flower: 6. Length:            5 mm. Width: 4 mm. Margin: Entire. Texture: Upper: Smooth,            coriaceous, rugose. Lower: Smooth. Color: Upper:            Yellow-Green Group 145C blended with Red-Purple Group 60A.            Lower: Yellow-Green 145C.        -   Calyx.—Shape: Unguiculate. Length: 5 mm. Diameter: 5 mm.        -   Peduncle.—Length: 1 cm. Diameter: 0.5-1 mm. Texture: Smooth.            Color: Yellow-Green Group 145B blended with Red-Purple Group            60A. Orientation: Upright and outward. Strength: Good.        -   Pedicel.—Length: 9 mm. Diameter: 0.5-1 mm. Angle: 5-35            degrees. Strength: Good. Texture: Smooth. Color:            Yellow-Green Group 145B blended with Red-Purple Group 60A.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamens.—Number: About 30. Filament length: 0.8-1.8 cm.            Filament color: Red-Purple Group 63A.        -   Anthers.—Shape: Orbital. Length: 1 mm. Color: Yellow-Orange            Group 15B. Pollen: Amount: Good. Color: Yellow 12B.        -   Pistil.—Number: 1. Length: 1.85 mm. Style: Length: 1.9 cm.            Color: Red Group 53B.        -   Stigma.—Shape: Globe. Color: Yellow-Green Group 152B. Ovary            color: Yellow Group 11B.-   Other characteristics:    -   -   Fruits and seeds.—Not observed to date.        -   Disease/pest resistance.—Neither resistance nor            susceptibility to normal diseases and pests of Lagerstroemia            observed.        -   Temperature range.—Observed to tolerate a temperature range            from −28° C. to 35° C. Root hardy to −28C, top of the plant            does die back to the ground.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Lagerstroemiaplant named ‘G2X13368’ as herein illustrated and described.